The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-19

(15-23. "GoD knoweth how to deliver the
godly," says Peter q Peter ii. 81. The mis-
sion of the two angels messengers or minis
tiers of GoDl to Sodom was to announce the
Divine judgments in the approaching over
throw to which the place was condemned, for
its exceeding wickedness, and to deliver
righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lawless-
ness in the midst of which he dwelt. Having
spent the night in Lots home, and having
warned him to flee with all his family to a
place of safety from the coming destruction,
as soon as it was dawn the Divine messen-
gers urged Lot to make haste and depart.
He delayed his departure, lingering, no
doubt, about his home and possessions, which
he must of necessity leave behind him. He
had come to Sodom for these, but now he
must leave them all for what is dearer even
must give up his home, his focks and herds,
and all property. No wonder he hesitated
and delayed his going. But he had made an
unwise choice, when, for the sake of worldly
advantage, he pitched his tent in the midst
of the wicked cities, and now must abide the
consequences of his folly. That was wiser
preference which was declared by the Psalm
list who said, 81 had rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my GoD than to dwell in the
tents of wickedness'' Psalm lxxxiv. 10). The
men, who are called "angels' in verse 15,
took hold of him, with his wife and his two
daughters, and led them out of the city. This
is called an exhibition "of the sparing mercy
50 fhaxy
placed without the city gate, JEHOVAH or the
"angels," the men who spoke in His name,
commanded Lot, for the sake of his life, not
to look behind him. nor to remain in the
Plain even, but to flee to the mountains
mountains of Moab which bordered the
Plain on the east. There is some confusion
of terms. "When they (the mem brought
them forth, he (JEHovAH, by whose mercy
they were spared T?]) said: Escape for thy
life.' Lot replied to them, ooh, not SO, my
LORD" The word translated "LoRD" is
Adonoi, Hebrew word for COP, which was
employed in addressing Him instead of the
name JEHOVAH. 1t was also applied to men
as title of superiority, in the sense of mas
ter, as one who owns slaves. But the one
whom Lot addressed was the One who had
showed mercy in saving his life, who, accord
ing to verse 16 was JEHOVAH. Lot may have
addressed the men, but directed his plea to
Con who had effected his deliverance and
commanded him to flee to the mountains.
Lots plea was that since COP had shown
Himself to be graciously and mercifully dis
posed toward him, and because he would not
be safe in fleeing to the mountains, for rea-
sons not stated, would He not permit him to
take refuge in the small and neighboring city
of Bella, which was afterward called Zoar
(Littleton) because Lot had called it "a lit
tie one." His plea was fayorably answered,
promise to spare Zoar was given and he
was commanded to hasten his escape to that
place. "And he mot they said unto him, Il
have accepted thee concerning this thing
Also" JEHOVAH is represented as having
granted his request, though the men may
have declared His gracious answer. The
prayer of Abraham was answered, not by
sparing the wicked city, but by delivering the
righteous Lot from the destruction that over
threw it. COP always answers the prayers
of His children, not by granting always just
the things they ask for, but by doing for
them what is best, and giving them what
they would ask for if they knew as we'll as
He just what is best for them. 1t was best
to destroy whole wicked city, the centre of
a morally corrupting influence among man
kind. Abraham's plea that no unjust judg
ment should fall upon the righteous, however
few in number was answered in the ESCAPE
of the one only righteous man who had un-
wisely, to say the least, chosen to dwell in the
wicked city